Watch Out For Snakes!

Well, I did it. I watched Red Zone Cuba and I have to say, it wasn’t as bad as I had heard. Sure, the film made no sense, had horrible acting and one of the worst (if not the worst) beach invasions ever to be put on film. Why these people paid so much for actors and extras and film and sets and props only to come away with something this dull, drab and excruciatingly boring and unwatchable is beyond me. However, Mike and the Bots did their thing and I survived. Luckily, I did not lapse into a Carol Channing impression like Mike did during the watching. Included is a link to some of the best parts of the movie, and it is really all you need to view, unless you are a MST3K completist like me. Click the link and view if you dare.

This is a pretty decent essay by the Onion A.V. club about MST3K. I have to say that I know what this guy is talking about, although, for me, the first episode that I remember being completely impressed by was Space Mutiny. It is in my top five of all time and is one of the movies that is perfect for initiating new fans to the show as well. And as we do owe it to others to pass on this great little cult show of ours, I send this out to the Internets to maybe, somehow, be found by a person who knows nothing of the show, but will become a new fan. Click here to view the article.

Also, I have never seen “City Limits” but now owe it to myself to watch this and “Red Zone Cuba.” Man, it’s going to be a busy weekend.

If ever there was an episode of MST3K that piqued my interest, it has to be Red Zone Cuba. I have heard many horrible, terrible things about it – even from Mike Nelson himself – but have still never seen it. I am making it my duty, as an American citizen, to view this horrible movie this weekend. One of the things that I have constantly heard about it, is that it is just so dull that it is hard to even sit through. As a long time viewer, I have seen some movies which were dull and they all turned out to be worse than they really are, because the dullness of the actual movie drags down the riffing as well. I’m afraid that this is the case with this movie as well, but will find out for sure soon and report back next week about this movie. Well Internet, here goes nothing.

Last night was a good night in MST3K viewing for me. I got a couple of buddies over and we watched the very classic “Giant Spider Invasion.” This movie is one of my absolute favorites and is in my must-watch top three. From the very start, you can tell that the crew loved doing this movie. Just based on the fact that it took place in Wisconsin and the riffing crew was based in Minnesota makes all of the jokes that much more special and funny. Me and my buddies are also from the land of 10,000 lakes and hearing them riff about cheeseheads and Packers fans brings a smile to my face even now. Besides, it was a virgin viewing for one of the guys last night and it is certainly a perfect Mystery Science Theater to show to anyone who you want to really get into the show. Of course, he was already a huge fan, but for some reason had never seen this, the most essential of movies.

As for the movie, it features a doughy and aged Alan Hale (of Gilligan’s Island fame… or infamy) as the sheriff in a small, white-trash town that is invaded by a giant spider after a meteor falls to earth. The spider, which is actually a VW Beetle covered by a big sheet, wrecks havoc all over the town until a couple of plucky, tea-loving scientists figure out a way to stop it. The whole movie is campy and horribly acted and shot and its a train wreck. But that’s why we love em. This movie is a must, must see for any MST3K fan, especially those who have lived near or in Wisconsin. Trust me, it feels that much more special to hear jokes about them. Also, the poster below is totally over the top and way more action packed than the actual film. Simply viewing the poster below will make your heart beat faster and you will be become more terrified than anything the movie will throw at you.

So, since MST3K went off the air in 1998, the former cast members have all found various activities to keep them going. For instance, Joel went off to California to write for other series and has even acted in a few other shows. Mike went on to write a few books and the other cast members formed comedy groups, or wrote for other shows or wrote various other books as well. But that love of riffing seems to be ingrained in all of them, because they all went back to doing what they love to do; make fun of bad movies. Joel, along with Trace Beaulieu, Josh Weinstein, Frank Conniff and Mary Jo Pehl, formed Cinematic Titanic and they tour the country riffing on bad movies before a live audience. Mike, along with Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett riff on newer and more famous movies over at Rifftrax.

I can say that I have been to a Cinematic Titanic show and I have seen some of the Rifftrax as well and I like them both. There’s something that is a lot of fun about going to a theater, sitting with a bunch of strangers and laughing at horrible movies. Of course, there is also something to be said about riffing on newer Hollywood megaflicks that most people seem to love, but in fact, really do need to be taken down a notch. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would opt for the Cinematic Titanic show over Rifftrax. But that’s just me. Either way, I still sort of get my MST3K fix, even though the show has been off the air for over ten years now.

HI! I’ve been gone for a bit. But oh well, I’m sure you will all recover… all three of you. Anyway, I’ll try to be updating this a little more often than I have been, but the everyday thing was too much with all the other hullabaloo going on (read – job).

This post is simply about the official MST3K Web site. Have you seen it? I totally forgot there was even still one of these out there. It is run by Jim Mallon (the voice of Gypsy) and it features a riff of the day, teaser trailers and merchandise for sale among other little tidbits. Check it out and keep circulating the tapes!

If you ever wanted any of these titles to add to your growing MST3K library, then you are in luck. Shout Factory has just released details as to what will be in the MST3K XVIII Box Set. Here are the details.

Though it doesn’t happen all that often, there are moments in MST3K’s long history where the riffing on the film has been less than spectacular. I feel that this can be forgiven though, based on the number of bad films they had to view and the amount of time that they spent trying to figure out what would work and what wouldn’t. If I had to choose a poorly riffed film though, my choice would go to Hamlet. Not only is this a German version of a Shakespeare play, it is also in black and white and utterly boring. I’m not a fan of Shakespeare to begin with, but even MST3K couldn’t spice it up enough for me to keep from falling asleep. If you want to, here is a link to watch.

Most people know that Tom Servo has had two different people do his voice on the show, with Josh Weinstein as Servo for the KTMA and first season episodes, with Kevin Murphy taking over in season two. But Crow T. Robot also had a voice change. He went from being voiced by Trace Beaulieu from KTMA to season seven, and then was taken over by Bill Corbet to the end of the show’s run. Now, personally, I cannot hear much difference between the Trace Crow and the Bill one, but I had this discussion with my buddy over the weekend and he reckons that Bill’s Crow is better. I think that it comes down more to the movies and riffing being generally better during those last few seasons, but to each his own. What’s your thoughts on this? Can you tell the difference, or do you even care?

As you may have noticed… or not since no one really reads this 😛 I didn’t adhere to the actual title of this blog and post something yesterday. Oh well, sue me why don’t ya!! Anyway, just take a look at the new box set I’m picking up later this month and be satisfied won’t you? Linky-dinky.

About Myself

I am a Mystery Science Theater 3000 addict. I have a copy of every episode that has ever been shown as well as many of the specials and the guest appearances. Go ahead and label me a geek or a nerd or an oddball, I don’t care, because this show is one of the very best things that has ever been shown on television. If you haven’t seen it, please do. If you have, then great. Turn down the lights where applicable and keep circulating the tapes.